Living the Dream

Pinot Noir is the driving passion of Marc Goldberg and Maggie D’Ambrosia, husband and wife owners of Windward Vineyard. Windward Vineyard is dedicated exclusively to producing Burgundian style Pinot Noir. To make the “Great American Pinot Noir,” one that rivals those produced in Burgundy, is the couple’s passion.

Marc and Maggie purchased and planted the vineyard in 1989 based upon the terroir and microclimate of the Paso Robles Westside. The combination of the cooling Pacific breezes, the calcareous soil and the 50 degree daily drop in temperature produce exemplary Pinot Noir.

With the Burgundian French term, “Monopole” vision of total control over both the vineyard and the winemaking, the 15-acre vineyard is planted to four notable French clones.

Windward Vineyard is dedicated to putting Paso Robles’ Pinot Noir back on the map, following in the footsteps of two significant figures in California wine history. In the late 1960’s, consultant Andre Tchelistcheff supervised the Paso Robles Hoffman Mountain Ranch property of Dr. Stanley Hoffman. In the 1970’s, Hoffman’s Pinot Noirs gained worldwide recognition, and were drinking well over 20 years later.

Since the 1993 debut in 1995, each of Windward’s SOLD OUT vintages have achieved inspiring acclaim, particularly within the community of wine aficionados who appreciate the layered complexity of Burgundian styled Pinot Noir. Marc explains. “We knew we could count on the vineyard to produce formidable fruit. It is living up to our expectations as it matures and continues to develop layered complexity.”

Westside Wine Tasting Paso Robles

Nestled within a rolling landscape of oak trees of Paso Robles’ Peachy Canyon, Michael Gill Cellars offers potent and exquisite world class wines. The west side Paso Robles coastal estate takes full advantage of the excellent natural conditions: the mountainous territory is known for its rocky, calcareous soil, and differing levels of hillside sun exposure allow vineyards to be specifically sited for each varietal.

This gives founding vintner, Michael Gill, the opportunity to cultivate luxurious wines unmatched in quality. Inspired by the historicism and beauty of illustrious French hunting lodges, the tasting room inspires images of time gone by. Nestled in the midst of surrounding vineyards and centuries-old oaks, it evokes a classicism and indulgence often unfound in Paso Robles.

Come join us for a fabulous outing of westside wine tasting in Paso Robles, CA. Explore our Central Coast vineyards and unique tasting room.

History:

In the early 1970’s Michael Gill began his own practice as a dentist in Bakersfield. In 1977 during his weekend retreats to the central coast, Gill visited a barren 25 acres for sale in Peachy Canyon. At the time he acknowledged he had little intuition of the potential this property had for growing grapes. However his friend Robert Nadeau recognized its potential and lay out the grid work for the vineyard in 1998. After years of hard work, the perfect temperature and premier sole has created a perfect grape growing property. Now Gill Cellars is producing a modest 1,000 cases annually, ensuring quality and control in every bottle.

About:

Growing up in the oil fields of Taft, Gill was first introduced to fine wines during his postgraduate years in dental school. His best friends parents were professional photographers, and were hired to create extravagant displays of fine wine, cheeses, and food. The fate of these displays were at the mercy of Michael and his friends appetites, which would act as the initial catalyst of his taste for fine wine.

Reviews:

“This is one of the most exciting tasting rooms I have ever been to. Its not to often you get to experience world class big games animals, in a beautiful central coast location. Walking in to this wineries you cant help but notice the massive polar bear, and a collection of animals you would never see unless you visit. On top of the wild game they have amazing wines, with grapes grown right on the property. This is on my Best Wineries in Paso Robles list for a reason. Stop By and say Sherry and Dr. Gill next time your out wine tasting.” – Yelp User

Offers:

• • All wine club members get a 20% discount on all wine purchases.

Services Offered:

• • • Winery
    • Wine Tasting
    • one of a kind wine tasting room
    • Paso Robles winery
    • west side winery
    • winery on peach canyon
    • exclusive wines
    • Syrah
    • Viognier

Payment Accepted:

• • • Cash
    • Check
    • Visa
    • MasterCard
    • Discover
    • American Express

Parking Situation:

• • Parking Lot

Nestled in the heart of Edna Valley, overlooking rows of vineyards and a 40-mile stretch of the Santa Lucia mountain range is Autry Cellars. Owner and artisan winemaker Steve Autry and his tasting room staff pour wine varietals, brandy, and grappa borne from some of the best grapes selected from across the region, along with his signature apple brandy.

Autry Cellars’ informal, unpretentious tasting room is, “decorated in early American warehouse” style, jokes Autry. However, don’t be deceived by the modest décor. In this tasting room visitors can experience superb wine varietals ranging from best selling Petite Sirah to Malbec and Viognier. In addition, you can taste gold medal best-in-class grappa and silver medal winning American oak and Hungarian oak brandies, awarded by the California Mid-State Fair.

With over 18 years of winemaking experience, Autry became a commercial winemaker 10 years ago and a fully licensed brandy distiller in 2012. A visit to Autry Cellars is about discovery. He says people who visit his tasting room, “come for the wine and discover the brandy.” At Autry Cellars, visitors gain access to impressive wines and brandies that are available exclusively in the tasting room. Every wine is unique, and each is produced only in small quantities.

Visit Autry Cellars tasting room at 5450 Edna Road in San Luis Obispo; open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (805) 546-8669 or see autrycellars.com.

Sarzotti Winery and Vineyard serves as the Sarzotti family’s vehicle for sharing what they love to do—make wine. The winery is owned and run by the Sarzotti family, and they see it as a way to do what their family has been doing for generations: to make wine that can be enjoyed with friends and family.

Jim Sarzotti and his wife Cheryl as well as their son James and his wife Jenne, all live and work on the Sarzotti Winery and Vineyards property in beautiful Templeton, CA. James and Jenne’s children also live on the property. The Sarzottis have farming in their blood—fifteen years ago they relocated to Paso Robles from Southern California at James’ suggestion. James knew that his father had always loved to grow grapes and make wine, and saw in Paso Robles an opportunity to do this together as a family.

https://www.slovisitorsguide.com/paso-robles/sarzotti-winery-and-vineyard

Demeter Family Cellars is a family owned micro winery producing small lots of award winning wines. Listen to music you choose from their collection of over 500 vinyl records. James and Diane will make your visit memorable in their mid-century modern tasting room. 6990 Kingsbury Rd., Templeton, demeterfamilycellars.com, (805) 712-0002

Tasting Room open
Fri & Sat 11 am – 4 pm
Sunday 11 am – 2 pm

By appointment Mon-Thur and for groups of 8 or more

Located in the heart of the Willow Creek district on the westside of Paso Robles, Pelletiere Estate Vineyard & Winery can be found on a cozy corner on Township Road just off Highway 46w in the beautiful foothills of west Paso. The property has a local history dating back to the late 1890’s. The original Farmhouse has been lovingly updated and sits proudly on our estate. The Pelletiere Estate vineyard, rich in limestone soils was planted in 1993-1996, and is family owned & operated with a commitment to the traditions of fine winemaking and responsible stewardship of its vineyard land for future generations to savor and uphold.

Its south-facing sloped terrain, rocky limestone soils, cool coastal breezes, and diurnal fluctuation in temperature create, above all an estate ideal for wine growing. Here we produce exceptional Italian varietals that honor our Italian heritage and those of our predecessor. Today, 100 percent of Pelletiere Estate wines are sourced from its sustainably-farmed estate-grown Italian varieties which include; Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Lagrein, Aglianico, and Primitivo, as well as, our Syrah and Viognier. We are dedicated to meticulous vineyard care, picking at optimum ripeness, and creating elegant Italian-style wines which express the balance and pure flavors of our vineyard terrior.

Distinctive Italian-style wines, stunning tasting room, breathtaking setting, and passionate crew members, make Pelletiere Estate truly worth the visit.

Sinor-LaVallee tasting room tends to attract serious wine fans. All their wines are grown organically on the Bassi Estate Vineyard in Avila Beach. If you are hungry they offer cheese and charcuterie. http://www.sinorlavallee.com, 550 1st St., Avila Beach, (805) 459-9595

Paso Robles tasting room is open 7 days a week.

10:00am – 5:00pm (winter hours)

TASTING ROOM HOURS:
Thursday – Monday 11:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday – Wednesday Closed

Shale Oak was built by a highly-esteemed team dedicated to sustainability, eco-friendly principals, and  environmental preservation.

From Gold LEEDS Certified Architecture to SIP Certified Wines, Shale Oak is truly a unique place among Paso Robles Wineries. We also think our Wine Club Members are pretty special, too.

Claiborne & Churchill is a small, family owned and operated winery, founded in 1983 and located in the heart of the Edna Valley, just outside San Luis Obispo, California. Inspired by the wines of Alsace, we specialize in premium dry wines made from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris grapes, as well as handcrafted Pinot Noir from several nearby vineyards. We also produce small lots of other wines, including a Dry Muscat, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sparkling Brut Rose, and a Port-style wine.

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is dedicated to producing flavorful wines that are the finest examples of quality and flavor from our given appellations. We are committed to honesty, excellence and service, with a respect for our employees, suppliers, customers, and the long-term health of our company and the environment.

Peachy Canyon Winery is a small family owned winery in the beautiful wine country of Westside Paso Robles on the Central Coast of California; near Hearst Castle and Big Sur. Peachy Canyon Winery specializes in estate Zinfandels and has been family owned and operated by the Beckett Family since 1988. Experience the best the Paso Robles Westside has to offer. Come by and sample our award-winning Zinfandels and other acclaimed varietals in our Old School House tasting room. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Bovino Vineyards and Winery is located in beautiful Templeton, California.  Our estate vineyards are centrally situated in the Templeton Gap which is nestled between the Paso Robles Willow Creek and the El Pomar Districts.  The Templeton Gap consists of a series of mountain passes created by rivers and creeks in the Santa Lucia Range, through which marine air flows into the region.

The Templeton Gap is the coolest climate of the Paso Robles sub-appellations and receives approximately 20 inches of precipitation per year.  The water gap allows marine influences to enter the region which moderate the daily temperatures and increase the amount of time that it takes for grapes to ripen.  The elevations in the area range from 700 to 1,800 feet above sea level with the majority of the wineries located between 800 and 940 feet.

The soils were created by alluvium of the Monterey Formation and are largely made up of silty and clay loams. There are some older soils produced from the Paso Robles Formation that are more cemented and shaly.  Grapes produced in this region include Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier and Zinfandel.

Tasting Room & Bistro Open Tuesday-Sunday
Tasting Room Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bistro Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The genesis of the wine story for Pear Valley began in the late 60’s when owner Tom Maas was stationed on an army base in Germany…in the midst of a vineyard. Here he learned to love both wine and the vineyard. Decades later, when the kids were grown and responsibilities waned, he was free to pursue his dream of owning and living in a vineyard. It started with 20 acres in 1999 and now Tom and Kathleen own 113 acres where they dedicate their energy and resources to providing the best environment for growing premium grapes. The vineyards are operated with sustainable farming practices to ensure that the best fruit possible will still be grown there when their grandchildren operate the farm.

The next phase of the dream began in the Spring of 2008 when they broke ground on a 14,000 winery and 5,000 square foot tasting room. Continuing the dedication to providing the best environment possible, the winery and tasting room were designed in partnership with PG&E through their “Savings By Design” program to design buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sound.

In August 2012 Pear Valley officially achieved Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification. Attaining SIP Certification demonstrates dedication to vineyard practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically-viable. To read more go to http://www.vineyardteam.org.

Tasting Room Hours:
11am to 5pm 7 days a week by appointment

Halfway between the two main California metropolises of Los Angeles and San Francisco is Paso Robles Wine Country. Located along California’s famed Central Coast, the Paso Robles winegrape growing region’s climate is perfect for the production of award-winning premium wines. A long growing season of warm days and cool evenings gives rise to vibrantly ripened fruit with dynamic flavor profiles that translate beautifully in your glass of Paso Robles wine.